The New Orleans Saints enter Week 2 carrying new roster worries after a frustrating opening loss. Their upcoming challenge is a San Francisco 49ers team that is also battling significant injuries. With both squads’ depth under pressure, Sunday’s game could come down to which side manages its health setbacks more effectively.
Saints Injury Update & Roster Moves
New Orleans is aiming to bounce back from Week 1, benefiting from a standard rest schedule instead of a short turnaround. A positive development has been rookie right tackle Taliese Fuaga, who returned to limited practice Thursday after missing earlier sessions with knee inflammation. He remains questionable for Sunday.
On defense, end Chase Young (calf), guard Trevor Penning (toe), and safety Julian Blackmon (shoulder) are still sidelined. Long snapper Zach Wood, dealing with an elbow issue, was downgraded after missing Thursday’s practice. Safety Jordan Howden, who had been dealing with an oblique concern, fully practiced this week. The Saints also released rookie quarterback Hunter Dekkers, leaving Tyler Shough as Spencer Rattler’s primary backup.
49ers Dealing With Injuries at Quarterback and Key Positions
San Francisco enters this matchup shorthanded as well. Starting quarterback Brock Purdy is expected to miss two to five weeks with a turf toe–related injury and shoulder problems. “It’s a long shot to play Sunday,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said, calling Purdy’s recovery “week to week.”
The 49ers will also be without tight end George Kittle, who landed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Wideout Jauan Jennings has been limited by a shoulder issue, while left tackle Trent Williams sat out practice for rest and a knee concern. Running back Christian McCaffrey should suit up, but the team is monitoring him closely due to ongoing calf management.
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Players to Watch & Key Matchups
Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler faces a new kind of challenge in Week 2. If Brock Purdy is sidelined, Rattler will square off against Mac Jones, with the Saints’ offensive line needing to hold strong against a 49ers defensive front capable of changing the game in just a handful of snaps.
On the defensive side, rookie safety Jonas Sanker could be in line for his first NFL start. With Julian Blackmon out, Sanker’s ability to hold up in coverage becomes crucial. San Francisco’s passing attack will likely lean more on its wide receivers in George Kittle’s absence, putting added importance on Sanker’s debut performance.
What to Expect in an Injury-Heavy Showdown
Both rosters enter Week 2 bruised, but each has a chance to turn adversity into opportunity. For the Saints, the task is twofold: clean up the errors from their opening loss and keep their lineup intact. The 49ers, on the other hand, are staring down one of their toughest early hurdles—finding ways to win without Brock Purdy and George Kittle, while banking on banged-up starters like Jauan Jennings and Trent Williams to be available.
Sunday’s clash figures to be all about adjustments. New Orleans will look to rattle Mac Jones, attack San Francisco’s thin tight end rotation, and hope its starters can hold up through four quarters. San Francisco will counter by leaning on its depth at receiver and its run game, with Christian McCaffrey at the center of a ball-control approach designed to dictate tempo and wear down the Saints’ defense.
